At Innovation Health we’re proud to recognize the heroes in our community through the Innovation Health Hometown Hero Awards. We launched this award program to honor community members making a difference in our area. As a local company, we know the value of being involved in the community. For instance, through events with local schools and organizations, our employees see first-hand the impact we can have by investing in others.
Nominations came in from all over Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley for teachers, medical professionals, volunteers and more. We were truly moved by the heartfelt submissions and incredible work being done to improve lives in our area. After reviewing the incredible nominations our consultant/broker customers selected three winners, one each from Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The three winners for this year’s Hometown Hero Awards share our beliefs about giving back and have gone above and beyond for their local communities.
It was truly inspiring to see the outpouring of nominations this year, thank you again for everyone who submitted a hero for consideration.
- Dr. Sunil Budhrani, Chief Medical Officer & Chief Medical at Innovation Health
Our Winners
Ann Matikan
Northern Virginia Hero
Living in Old Town Alexandria, Ann takes pride in her historic neighborhood and goes out of her way to share her love of the area with all of her neighbors, including the Alive! House. The Alive! House is Ann’s next door neighbor and helps young women and their family’s transition out of homelessness. Over the past 20 years Ann has grown what started as a simple yard sale at her house into a community wide event that this year closed down an entire block because so many others wanted to join in the effort to support this great cause. Ann continues to make her community a better place through her dedication and hard work.
Ron Branscome
Fredericksburg Hero
Ron has been making a difference in the Fredericksburg area for over 40 years, as his nominator put it “Ron led the local area out of darkness and into the light.” Throughout that time he’s helped the community make incredible strides forward in understanding and improving the lives of community members with mental disabilities. As the executive director for the Rappahannock Community Services Board Ron helps over 15,000 citizens through clinics, crisis services, transportation and more and has let his passion leave a lasting positive impact on the Fredericksburg area.
Brigitte Dehaven
Shenandoah Valley Hero
Brigitte received not one but two nominations for the work she does every day with students in the Shenandoah Valley. Whether it’s encouraging students through music or pushing them in their writing Brigitte’s love for teaching shines through and makes her stand out to her students and parents alike in the classroom and in the community. As a passionate educator Brigitte inspires students in the Shenandoah Valley by putting a personal touch on everything she teaches.
The Partnership
Together, Aetna and Inova are taking a new approach to the way health care is offered. With this innovative partnership, these two industry leaders aim to provide more efficient and effective patient care at a more affordable cost. By joining the right medical professionals with the right technology, patients receive the benefit of quality, personalized health care.
